Communicable Disease

Communicable Disease Control Reporting Form

The NC Division of Public Health/Communicable Disease Branch has revised surveillance
forms and supporting documents. The Confidential Report of Communicable
Disease form is used by health care providers and local health department
staff to report and investigate diseases that represent a public health threat according
to 10A NCAC 41A.0101 Reportable Diseases and Conditions.

Communicable Disease Control

Control
of communicable disease in Forsyth County is handled by a team of Public Health
nurses. Our main goal is to keep the public safe by preventing the spread of communicable
disease. Reports are received from physician’s offices, labs, schools, daycares,
food establishments and long term care facilities. Concerned citizens also call
in with complaints. The Communicable Disease Nurse and Environmental Health Specialist
may do an investigation jointly depending on the disease and the area involved within
the community.

Pathogens
are everywhere in a person’s daily environment. They enter our body through breathing,
ingested food or water, open wounds, sexual contact or contact with contaminated
objects. The General Communicable Disease Control Program provides investigation,
surveillance, and prevention to protect the health of the public. When a communicable
disease is reported, an investigation begins. The goal is to stop the spread of
the disease and hopefully find the source.

Hand washing is the most important thing we can do to decrease the spread of communicable
diseases. Washing fruits and vegetables before slicing, and disinfecting cutting
boards and countertops is important in decreasing the spread of food borne illness.
Not eating and drinking after others and not sharing razors and toothbrushes decreases
the incidence of many communicable diseases.